In New Zealand (and to the best of the author’s knowledge, all other countries), there is no such thing as a dental implant specialist. So, no, the dentists at Dental Artistry are not ‘Dental Implant Specialists’, and neither is any other person in New Zealand!
We could however be deemed ‘Dental Implant Experts’. Our Implant Expert Dr Sheng Zhang is a bilingual general dentist speaking fluent Mandarin. He performs all facets of implant dentistry, gum treatment (periodontics), and orthodontic treatment at our practice. He is also certified in airway dentistry and aviation dentistry.
Dr Zhang completed a Bachelor of Oral Health from University of Sydney and Bachelor of Dental Surgery from the University of Adelaide where he was awarded the University Medal. Upon graduation he served as a Dental Officer in the Royal Australian Air Force and was Senior Dental Officer of No. 2 Expeditionary Health Squadron. He has further post graduate qualifications in orthodontics and specialist training in periodontics with a sub specialisation in implants from Spain.
Dr Zhang enjoys all facets of dentistry but his passion for periodontology led him to study Master Courses at the prestigious University of Bern in Switzerland focusing on gum surgery and implant dentistry. He has personally been mentored by the greatest European and American specialists in the field of dental implants, bone grafting, gum disease management, gum regeneration, recession coverage and implant rescues. In addition, Dr Zhang is one of a select few dentists in Australia and New Zealand certified in the revolutionary Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique.
Outside of clinical practice, Dr Zhang is a Key Opinion Leader for multiple implant companies and a consultant for many others. He shares his knowledge as the lead trainer for Dental Artistry Academy and lectures worldwide. Previously, he was also a clinical educator and examiner at the University of Sydney Dental School. He prides himself on staying up to date with the latest dental procedures and technologies with an admirable record of completing over 150 hours of continuing professional development every year. An academic at heart, Dr Zhang regularly publishes in dental journals and authored a thesis introducing a new technique for maxillary sinus lift grafts using patients own biomaterials (Alb-CGF).
Dr Zhang enjoys treating patients of all ages and his caring, calm, relaxed demeanour and patient centred health care philosophy makes him especially popular with those who experience dental anxiety. With his vast clinical experience he can help guide patients through the most challenging cases while delivering consistent exceptional results. His ability to speak fluent Mandarin makes him a great asset in servicing the Chinese community of Auckland.
Professional Associations And Memberships –
Dr Zhang is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (RACDS) and serves on the New Zealand committee guiding others through their Fellowship journey. He is also a fellow of the International Dental Implant Association (IDIA) and the International Association for Dental Facial Aesthetics (IADFE). Dr Zhang was the founder of the Sydney Dental Study Club and a member of the International Team for Implantology. He is a member of the Auckland Dental Association and the New Zealand Dental Association.
Some specialists in other disciplines of dentistry (e.g. oral surgery, periodontics) do also perform implant surgery. It is important to note that these practitioners are also not ‘dental implant specialists’, but rather specialists in another field in which they are registered. The majority of these practitioners perform occasional implant surgeries in addition to their main areas of expertise. Very few, if any, have the dental implant experience of our dentists at Dental Artistry.